The Shadow on Social Media

What evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows...

Many people present their highest self ( as they perceive it ) to the outside world. They demonize their own shadow, not realizing that much of its anger is from being forced to live in the dark. The monsters you meet online get a chance to come out behind the veil of social media. It's part of the psychological evolution of the person.

I see people say things online that I actually know they would not say in person.  They are airing out their innermost darkest thoughts.  Over time, they will recognize the difference between a harsh reality and its unsophisticated expression.  

For example, I may have a negative reaction to something you said or did.  I won't express it.  I find it unacceptable to express doubt, insecurity, fear or negativity.  It doesn't go away, that feeling, it gets shoved into the shadows of my mind.

One day, I walk away from you, and you never saw it coming.  It would have been better if we talked about it. If I wait too long to let my Shadow out, it will be a much coarser, angry thought.  This is what happens and for better or worse, the opportunity to express negativity behind the veil of a "screen" provides a release valve for the Shadow.

The answer to this is to learn to face your own thoughts head on.  Why do I feel upset, angry, or fearful? If you said or did something that I don't like, or don't understand, and we talk about it, am I afraid of your answer?  If people don't explain their real concerns, without censorship, we cannot build trust and we cannot work toward solutions.

That does not mean name-calling or insults.  It means being brave enough to tell the truth.  Unfortunately, we only see this when there is so much frustration at our political correctness that it boils over into rudeness.